Bulldogs gear up for NEC action

GAME INFORMATION

Bryant University (21-16, 10-4 NEC) vs. Long Island University (13-27, 4-4 NEC)
Friday, April 22, 2011- 3:00 / 5:00 p.m.
Brooklyn, N.Y. I LIU Field
Live Stats

Bryant University (21-16, 10-4 NEC) vs. Central Connecticut (20-15-1, 7-5 NEC)
Saturday, April 23, 2011 – 1:00 / 3:00 p.m.
New Britain, Conn. I CCSU Softball Field
Live Stats

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team hits the road for back-to-back doubleheaders against two Northeast Conference perennial powers in Long Island and Central Connecticut. The Bulldogs, who are amidst a 12-game road swing, are coming off a signature 6-3 win over Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Wednesday afternoon. Bryant has won four of the last five outings and currently sits at the No. 1 spot in the latest NEC standings. Having already shattered a program record for wins on the Division I level, the Black and Gold will have the opportunity to do some damage in the conference rankings and space themselves from the pack this weekend.

Scouting the Bulldogs

Top-seeded Bryant University is looking to build off its monumental 6-3 win over ACC contender Boston College Wednesday afternoon, as the team continues to sled through the toughest stretch of the 2011 campaign. The Bulldogs will face off against preseason favorite and 2010 NEC Champion Long Island before traveling up to New Britain, Conn. for a Saturday twinbill against CCSU.

Following Wednesday's 3-for-3 performance against Boston College, Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) continues to serve as the engine behind the powerful Bryant lineup with a .404 batting average through 33 games. Mable has accounted for 17 extra base hits and is responsible for 20 RBIs. Joining Mable at the top of the lineup is outfielder Lauren McCart (Voorhees, N.J.) and her .314 average at the dish, including 27 hits. McCart also recorded a 3-for-3 performance against the Eagles and went yard for the second time this season. Lauren Guy (La Habra, Calf), Lindsay Martin (Methuen, Mass.) and Kendall Corder (Carmichael, Calif.) have combined for 54 of the team's 158 RBIs on the season.

In the circle, senior Samantha Houseal (Mount Joy, Pa.) continues to provide solid outings, allowing one earned run against BC on Wednesday. Houseal has recorded a team-best 2.40 ERA and has eclipsed the 10-wiun mark for the second time in her career at Bryant. Houseal's has dealt more 75 Ks on the season while allowing just 37 walks. In the past week of action she has rose to No.1 all-time in innings pitched, having tossed 119.2 so far this season. Joining Houseal in the rotation is sophomore Jennifer Jacob (Deer Park, NY.) and her two saves in the past three outings. Jacob only had to throw one pitch against BC to secure the 6-3 win and dealt 0.2 innings against Mount St. Mary's to lift Bryant to the split and 3-2 win.

Scouting the Blackbirds

Currently in the midst of a five-game winning streak, the Long Island University softball team is home at LIU Field on Thursday and Friday for a pair of Northeast Conference doubleheaders against Wagner and Bryant. The Blackbirds are looking to extend a five-game winning streak, stemming from the sweep of Northeast Conference foe Mount St. Mary's on April 2.

LIU took two games from then-NEC first place team Quinnipiac, 1-0 and 11-6. The wins helped inch the Blackbirds up to the number six spot in the NEC, and pulled the Bobcats down to a tie for second. At the plate, Senior Bianca Mejia now leads the Long Island offense after knocking a double and a home run in game two against Quinnipiac. Mejia is batting a .353 with four homers and a .509 slugging percentage.

In the circle, Junior Sarah Reynolds picked up two wins in three appearances last week, including a complete-game shutout of the Bobcats. Reynolds fanned six throughout the contest, holding Quinnipiac to only three hits.

The Series: Bulldogs vs. Blackbirds

Bryant and LIU will be meeting for just the third and fourth time Friday afternoon. The Bulldogs dropped the first two meetings, 3-1 and 8-3, against Long Island during the 2010 campaign in Smithfield, R.I.

Scouting the Blue Devils

Currently sitting alone in fifth place in the latest NEC standings, Central Connecticut is 2-4 in its last six outings after dropping a twinbill against Quinnipiac and splitting a doubleheader against Wagner.

At the dish, Amanda Dilworth is pacing the lineup with a .363 batting average, including 24 runs and 14 extra base hits. Rookie Arielle Bruno is batting .361 in 36 games and has posted 17 RBIs with a .417 on-base percentage. The Blue Devils have seven different batters with at least 10 RBIs, with sophomore Kelsey Barlow knocking in a team-high 31.

In the circle, CCSU is anchored by Jordan Tingley and her eight wins in 16 starts. Tingley has registered a 3.75 ERA and has struck out a Blue Devil-best 66 batters, while issuing just 27 walks.

The Series: Bulldogs vs. Blue Devils

Bryant and Central Connecticut will be meeting for the third-straight season this Saturday, as the Bulldogs swept the first doubleheader, 4-0 and 7-3, but found themselves on the losing end of the 2010 twinbill, 14-2 and 10-8. Bryant, who swept the Blue Devils at a neutral location in 2009, will be playing at the CCSU softball field for the first time.